The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2017

Stories dominating today’s summary of the local dailies include news of President Sirleaf’s congratulatory message to the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China on the observance of its 68^th Independence Anniversary; the World Bank approval of US$7million grant for the Liberia Land Administration Project; the selection of the former President of the Central African Republic as one of the heads of high-power elections observation missions to observe the October 10 elections in Liberia.

President Sirleaf Extols China On 68^th Independence Anniversary

The INSIGHT newspaper reads that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a congratulatory message to the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China, on the historic occasion commemorating the 68^th Independence Anniversary of that country. Expressing satisfaction over the bond of friendship between Liberia and China, President Sirleaf stated, “I am delighted to acknowledge that China has not only grown in age, but also in status, and that, Liberia is pleased for the mutuality in our relations.” In her message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Johnson Sirleaf further assured her Chinese counterpart that Liberia and the People’s Republic of China will continue working together on matters of global concerns, particularly, on critical issues such as peace, security and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

World Bank Approves US$7 Million Grant

According to the INSIGHT newspaper, the World Bank has approved an International Development Association (IDA) grant of US$7million for the Liberia Land Administration Project. The project will strengthen the institutional capacity of the Liberia Land Authority and establish a land administration system. The World Bank says the project will help establish processes and the infrastructure required to implement land policies and laws focusing on identification, ownership, use and valuation of land. World Bank Country Manager in Liberia, Larisa Leshchenko said the World Bank is pleased to support the Liberia Land Administration project, because it will create a secure land tenure environment for citizens, communities and investors’ land rights in critical sectors such as agriculture, mining and forestry.

Related Caption: World Bank Approves US$7M Grant to Support Land Administration Reforms (Daily Observer)

CAR Former President Heads Carter Center Observer Mission Here

The former president of the Central African Republic (CAR) has been selected by the Carter Center (CC) as one of three heads of a high-power elections observation mission in Liberia to observe the October 10 elections. The Daily Observer quoting a press release from the Carter Center says Catherine Samba-Panza, former President of CAR, is coming along with Jason Carter, Chairman of the Carter Center’s Board of Trustees, and Jordan Ryan, Carter Center’s Vice President for Peace Programs. Madam Samba-Panza is the head of the Carter Center’s principal observer mission, along with a total of 30 short-term observers, who are to arrive this week to observe the voting, counting, and tabulation processes of the elections and support free, fair and transparent elections, yearned for by Liberian electorate.

UN To End Mission After Elections…As UNDP/UNMIL, CSOs Initiative Discuss Strategies

According to the INQUIRER newspaper, the United Nations Peace Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which has been serving as the conduit of peace and trust in post-war Liberia is set to end its mission in the country. The team will depart Liberia in less than three months after the October Presidential and Legislative Elections; said UNDP/UNMIL Joint Project Manager Meaten Barends at a consultative workshop with representatives from 17 Civil Society organizations. The daily says the workshop was a way forward in strengthening the Rule of Law in Liberia’s justice and security for the Liberian people after the departure of the mission.

ECOWAS National Office, NEC To Begin Week-long Exercise-On Civic Education And Voters Awareness

The economic Community of West African States National office in Liberia in collaboration with the National Elections Commission (NEC), is expected to commence a week-long civic education and voter’s awareness in three of Liberia’s 15 counties namely: Nimba, Bong and Margibi counties, beginning this Sunday October 1, 2017 in Ganta City, Liberia County. The FOCUS newspaper says the Civic Education and Voters awareness on non-violent and conflict free elections is held under the theme: “Promoting non-violence in the 2017 general and presidential elections in Liberia”.

PUL Wants Tax Waiver For Media Institutions…Celebrates 53rd Anniversary In Ganta

The President of the Press union of Liberia (PUL), Mr. Charles Coffey is calling the government of Liberia to provide tax waiver for media institutions which will help boost some of the economic empowerment of journalists in Liberia. The INQUIRER newspaper quotes Mr. Coffey as saying that his leadership is working on new strategies with publishers and media owners, for the provision of journalists’ social security, health care and better salaries to crack the economic war against journalists in the country. He said that the issue of very low salaries paid by media practitioners has claimed the attention of the PUL for which the union intends to address. Mr. Coffey made the remarks in Ganta, Nimba County during the 5rd PUL Anniversary under the theme:  Building a Strong media To Entrench Liberia’s democracy.

Related Caption: Decriminalize Free Speech-Proclaimed Coffey; As Legislature Challenged To Pass Such Existing ill; PUL’s 53 Anniversary Celebration In Ganta Marred With Poor Attendance (FOCUS)

UL Launches Entrepreneurship Minor Program Dr. Wilhemina Jallah Admonishes Students To Be Job Creators, Not Just Seekers

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hope for Women International health center, Dr. Wilhemina Jallah, has admonished students of the University of Liberia, particularly students of the Department of Business and Public Administration of the A. Romeo Horton College of Business Administration, to be creators of jobs and not job seekers. Dr. Jallah made the call over the weekend at the official launch of the Entrepreneurship Minor Program, which is now part of the university’s curriculum, when she called on students to take advantage of the entrepreneurship program before graduation. According to the Daily Observer, the program is intended to add new skills to the university’s business students to encourage and equip them to be self-sufficient before graduation. Professor Geegbae A. Geegbae, Vice President for Institutional Planning and Development at the University of Liberia, said the program is designed for students who want to become entrepreneurs, “because entrepreneurship education is a continuous learning process of humanity looking at the markets, and is a key driver of any nation’s economy.”

Fire Destroys ‘US$3M Worth of Goods’ In Clara Town

According to the Daily Observer, goods and property worth about US$3 million have been destroyed after fire engulfed the Yacco Business Center in Clara Town, one of the nation’s busy commercial hubs in Monrovia. The store, Yacco, owned by a Lebanese national, sold car batteries, lubricants, generators and car tires of all kinds. The daily says the fire incident, which started Friday morning, lasted over eight hours, with efforts of officers from the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) proven abortive. Though firefighters from the LNFS could not immediately put out the fire in the store, they were however able to prevent it from spreading to nearby business centers. With six fire trucks and over 20 firefighters tackling the blaze, they were unable to save the affected store.

Related Caption: Fire Guts Auto Parts Store In Clara Town (The INQUIRER)